Locking means for receptacle closures



Feb. 18, 1930. E. E. WHITE v1,747,200 LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPTACLE CLOSURES Filed Sept. 13. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 18, 1930. E. E. WHITE 1,747,200

LOCKING MEANS FOR RECEPTACLE CLOSURES Filed Sept. l5. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 18, 1930 UNITED STATES EDWIN ELLIS WHITE, 0F PAINTSVILLE, KENTUCKY LOCKING MEANS FOR EECEPTACLE CLOSURES Application. led September 13, 1928.

T his invention relates to the filler tubes of tanks and has for its object the provision o a simple, compact and efhcient device whereby the surreptitious removal of a filler cap from a receptacle will be prevented and unauthorized attempts to withdraw and use the contents of the receptacle will be frustrated. The invention is intended primarily for application to the fuel tanks of motor vehicles but may, of course, be utilized wherever it is desired to guard the contents of a tank or other container against theft. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and consists in certain novel features which will be hereinafter first fully described and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the invention applied to a cap which is placed on or removed from the filler tube by a rotating movement,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same,

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Figure 4 is an elevation of the invention applied to a cap which is placed or removed through a straight vertical movement.`

Figure 5 is a View of the form shown in Figure 4 showing the cap removed and latch bar thrown out of engagement.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, the numeral 1 designates a portion of a tank into which liquid is poured or otherwise fed through a filler tube 2 which is equipped with a cap 3 having a threaded connection therewith, as indicated at 4. By reason of the threaded connection between the tube and the cap, the cap is applied or withdrawn by rotating the same in an obvious manner.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a base band or bracket 5 having a substantially circular portion 6 passing around the tube `2 and rigidly secured thereto, as by rivets 7 brazing or otherwise, and having parallel arms 8 projecting from the circular portion, a bolt or rivet 9 being fitted through the arms adjacent the circular body to prevent spreading of the arms. Near the outer ends of the arms 8, a post 10 is firmly affixed thereto and this post carries a lock case 11 Serial N0. 305,706.

above the arms, an opening 12 being formed through the post near the upper end thereof and within the boundaries of the lock case, as shown in Fig. 1. At the outer side of the post 10, a latch or cap-holding bar 13 is'mounted on a pivot 14 fitted through the ends of the arms, the extremity of the bar being slightly eccentric, as indicated at 15, so that it will bind against the post when opened to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and will be thereby. held against rattling. The latch bar is right angular, as shown, and its free end is arranged to fit in a notch inthe periphery of the cap, the cap having peripheral lugs 16 defining notches 17, as shown. It will be obvious that when the cap is turned' home, its rotation may be arrested when: one ofthe not-ches has been broughtinto alnement with the latch bar and if the barbe 'then Vswung upwardly its end will enter the notch and resist turn-ing movement' of the. cap,

Near its angle, a hasp 18 is ,formedV on the bar 13 andV follows an Aarc having the pivotv 14 for its center, the hasp passing through lthe opening 12 and into the lockcase when the bar is swung upwardly. An opening or notch 19 is formed through the hasp 18 to be engaged by the bolt 20 of the lock which may be controlled by a key adaptable to the given lock.

It will thus be seen that the filler cap may be locked against tampering by a mechanism which is simple, compact and inexpensive.

In Figures 4 and 5, the invention is shown adapted for use where the cap may be removed by being merely lifted vertically. The

same base member or clamping band 5 as previously described is employed, with the same post 10 and lock 11. The filler tube or nozzle 21, however, is free of screwthreads and is smooth both externally and internally for its full length while the cap 22 is smoothbored with a smooth periphery and is shown as being flat on top. The cap-holding or latch bar 23 is of the same right-angular form as the bar 13 and is pivotally mounted in the same manner and carriers a hasp 24 corresponding in all respects to the hasp or keeper 18, but the arms of the bar are longer than the arms of the bar 13 so that when the bar is swung up its locked operative position, shown in Figure 4, the free end of the bar will eX- tend across the top of the cap and resist efforts to remove it.

It will, of course, be understood, that the latch bar might extend across the top of the cap shown in Figs. l and 2, but where the cap rotates and has a notched periphery the first described form is preferable as the latch bar is more compactly arranged and no part of the device extends to a greater height than the cap.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is r* y 1. The combination with a filler tube, and itscap, of a support secured rigidly to and projecting laterally from the tube, a right angular latch bar pivoted at the end of one arm on said support and having the other arm above the support with its free end arranged to engage and secure the cap, and a lock carried by said support alongside the pivoted armof the bar andbelow the lateral arin to engage the pivoted arm as the bar is swungV toward the cap whereby to secure the .latch bar in cap-engaging position.

2. The combination with a filler tube, and itscap, of a support extending laterally from the tube, a latch bar pivoted on the support and arranged to engage and secure the cap, a post on the support adjacent the latch bar and having an opening near its upper end, a lock on the post, and a keeper on the latch bar arranged to pass through the opening in the post and enter and be secured by the lock whereby the latch bar will be secured in capengaging position.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

EDIVIN ELLIS WHITE. 

